Call to regulate funeral industry

THE National Council of the Forum on End of Life wants the next government to regulate the funeral and cremation industry.

It is also calling for people with advanced incurable disease to have an automatic right to a medical card with access to home care packages.

“Nearly 30,000 people die in Ireland annually. We owe them and their relatives and friends a guarantee that funeral services are professional, regulated and at a fair price,” said Justice Catherine McGuinness, who chairs the council.